Automatic pencil



United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 401-65 5 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A retractable automatic pencil of the continuous feed type includes a barrel having a continuous lead feeding mechanism reciprocably mounted in its chamber and a reciprocably movable operating `button extending from its rear end. The operating button causes the writing portion of the lead feeding mechanism to project beyond the forward end of the barrel in response to an initial axially reciprocating movement of the operating button, and it also causes the lead feeding mechanism to feed lead sticks in response to subsequent reciprocating axial movements of the operating button when the lead feeding mechanism is in the projected position. A release mechanism initiates the movement of the lead feed mechanism from the protracted position into the retracted position.

The present invention relates to a new and improved automatic pencil of the continuous feed type, and more particularly the present invention relates to a retractable automatic -pencil of the continuous feed type.

Mechanical pencils of the step-by-step continuous feed type have been known for many years and because of their ease and reliability of use they are preferred over those employing screw type feed mechanisms. In a continuous lead feed system, a supply of lead sticks is stored in a magazine and the leads are fed sequentially to the writing tip by simple manipulation of the operating mechanism and without the necessity of manually handling the lead sticks after they have been placed in the magazine.

With a continuous feed type of mechanical pencil, the writing point is normally exposed during periods of nonuse so that undesirable marking sometimes occurs. Also, the exposed portion of the lead stick is subject to breakage. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an automatic pencil of the type employing a continuous lead feeding mechanism with means for re-tracting the writing tip into the housing during periods of nonuse.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved automatic pencil.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved automatic pencil of the continuous feed type.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved automatic pencil of the continuous feed type having a novel projecting and retracting mechanism.

It is a still further object of the present inven-tion to provide a retractible automatic pencil of the continuous feed type in which a single operating mechanism is used to control both lead feed and projections of the writing point.

It is another and still further object of the Apresent in- Vention to provide an automatic pencil in which both lead feed and point projection are accomplished through manipulation of a single push button while point retraction is accomplished through manipulation of a release mechanism actuated 'by a clip or by a member associated with the clip.

The above and further objects are realized in accordance with the present invention by providing a compact, simple, continuous, lead feed mechanism in combination with a '3,439,989 Patented Apr. 22, 1969 ICC point propelling and retrac-ting mechanism. A push button at the top of the -pencil is used to manually project the writing unit into a writing position wherein the writing unit is latched in the writing position with the tip exposed. The succeeding depression of the same push button actuates the continuous lead feed mechanism to feed lead from the unit. A pivotally mounted pocket clip or other actuating means associated with the clip is used to retract the writing unit.

In accordance with one feature of this invention, the force necessary to operate the continuous lead feed mecha- .nism and the projection mechanism is 'applied through an axially movable button reciprocably mounted in the top of the pencil for facile, manual actuation.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, n which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical, sectional view of an automatic pencil embodying the present invention, the longitudinally retractible parts being shown in projected position.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional View of the rear portion of the automatic pencil of FIGURE 1 with the parts thereof shown in their projected Writing position;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view, taken on line 3 3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view, taken on line 4 4 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, taken on line 5 5 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view, taken on line 6 6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of the rear portion of a modied form of the automatic pencil shown in FIGURE 1 wherein an operating button for the retracting mechanism is shown with a iixedly attached pocket clip; and

FIGURE 8 is another enlarged fragmentary sec-tional view of the rear portion of a further modification of the automatic pencil of FIGURE 1 showing a different means for mounting the pocket clip.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURES 1-6, the automa-tic pencil of the present invention there shown comprises a tubular housing or barrel 11 which can be made of any suitable material such as metal or plastic. The barrel 11 tapers inwardly towards its front end 13 to form a reduced, constricted aperture 15. The rear end of the lbarrel 11 has a chamfered or rounded marginal edge 17 surrounding an aperture 19. Along one side of the barrel 11 and a short distance from the rear end is a slot 21. In alignment with the slot 21 and extending forwardly from the rear edge 17 is an integral projection 23 of ramp-shaped configuration.

As shown, within the barrel 11 is a longitudinally extending cavity 25 Within which is positioned a continuous lead feed mechanism 27 of a conventional type having a lead storage magazine 29, a lead guide tube 31, a continuous feed clutching mechanism 33 and a tip clutch 35, the latter clutch functioning to hold the lead stick 37 in an extended position to thereby form a writing tip 39. One such conventional continuous lead feed mechanism is shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 2,158,991 to Stenersen.

A coil spring 41 mounted on the lead feed mechanism 27 about the lead guide tube 31 operates in conjunction with the continuous lead feed clutching mechanism 33 to bias a set of clutch jaws, not shown, into gripping relationship with the surface of the lead stick 37.

A second coil spring 43 coaxially mounted about the continuous lead feed mechanism 27 has opposite ends respectively engaging a rearwardly facing annular shoulder 45 integrally formed on the interior of the barrel 11 and an annular ring 47 surrounding and secured to magazine 29 of the continuous lead feed mechanism 27. The coil spring 43 serves to bias the lead feed mechanism 27 rearwardly into the 'barrel 11 biasing the tip 39 into a shrouded position where it is protected by the tapered tip portion 13 of the barrel.

Above the tubular portion of magazine 29 and in axial alignment therewith is a flared portion 49, an enlarged tubular portion 51, a second flared portion 53 and a second enlarged tubular portion 55. Portions 49-55 of the continuous lead feed mechanism form a receiver within which an eraser holder 57 is removably mounted. Within the flared portion 49 there is positioned a lead guide member 59 which facilitates the loading of lead sticks into magazine 29.

The eraser holder 57 comprises a decorative cap-shaped member 61 having a guide 63 (FIGURES 2 and 6') protruding in axial alignment with the surface of the cap 61. Within the open end of the cap 61, an eraser 65 is removably supported by a clamping member 67. The eraser holder 57 is adapted to be reversibly mounted in the receiver to expose either the decorative cap 61 or the eraser 65. The guide 63 is adapted to be mounted within a recess formed by a longitudinally extending projection 69 on the surface of tubular portion 55. The guide 63 serves to prevent rotation of the continuous lead feed mechanism 27 relative to the housing 11.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, a split metal band 71 is attached to the surface of magazine 29 a short distance below flared portion 49. An integrally formed leaf spring 73 extends upwardly from band 71 and projects away from magazine 29, the band 71 being fastened onto the magazine 29 to fix the spring 73 in alignment with the projection 69. A pair of lateral projections that form a latching member 75 are provided on the upper or free end of leaf spring 73, these projections being offset forwardly therefrom and extending laterally beynd both sides of a pivotally mounted clip 77. The latching member 75 and upper end of leaf spring 73 cooperate with detent surfaces on the clip 77 to determine the projected and retracted position of the lead feed mechanism 27 and writing tip 39.

Clip 77 (FIGURE 2) comprises a trough-shaped decorative metal housing 79 having a gripping portion 81 -whch cooperates with barrel 11 to hold the pencil in a pocket or other location. A contoured flat spring member 83 is locked within the housing 79 of clip 77 by inwardly turned tabs 85 which press spring 83 against the inner surface of the clip housing.

Clip 77 is pivotally supported on the barrel 11 within the slot 21 by a spring 87 which is held in position in the barrel by a split spring ring 86 of which it is made an integral projection. The ring 86 is forced downwardly into the barrel and positioned so that the integral flat spring 87 projects up into slot 21.

Clip 77 has a pair of inturned tabs 89 and 91 (FIG- URE 4) which grip spring 87 and hold it pressed against the spring member 83 that is mounted within the clip housing 79. Springs 83 and 87 pivotally support clip 77 and bias the gripping portion 81 against the barrel 11.

To assemble the automatic pencil of the present invention, the clip 77 is passed at an angle through aperture 19 and on out through aperture`21. The gripping portion S1 is given a slight pull, seating spring 87 behind tabs 89 and 91. The clip 77 will snap into its normal position with gripping portion 81 pressed against barrel 11.

The continuous lead feed mechanism 27 with springs 41 and 43 thereon is then lowered into the barrel 11 through the aperture 19. The projection 69 on the tubular portion 55 is aligned with the recess formed in the ramp 23 thereby aligning spring 73 with clip 77 as explained hereinabove. The lead feed mechanism is pushed completely into the barrel of the pencil against the bais of spring 43 until the latching member 75 on spring 73 latches with a detent surface 93 within clip 77.

To dismantle the automatic pencil of the present invention, the above procedure is simply reversed. With the pencil in retracted position, a thin blade or pin is inserted alongside the upper portion of the clip, or through a small hole (not shown) in the clip or an aperture near the clip, to release the latching member 75 of spring 73 from its latched position against detent surface 93. When spring 73 is released, the bias of spring 43 will move the lead feed mechanism back part way out of the barrel. The continuous lead feed mechanism 27 can then be slipped out of the barrel 11 and the clip 77 removed from the barrel by simply pulling them back out the aperture 19.

Clip 77 provides two detent surfaces which determine the projected and retracted positions of the continuous lead feed mechanism 27 and in turn the position of point 39. In the retracted position, the latching member 75 on sprirg 73 contacts the detent surfaces 93 formed by a pair of projections 95 extending from the sides of the trough-shaped clip housing 79 into the barrel 11. In the projected position, the upper end of spring 73 is held by detent surface 97 formed by the rolled upper edge 101 of fiat spring 83.

In operating the automatic pencil of the present invention, digital pressure on cap 61 moves the continuous lead feed mechanism 27 longitudinally downward in the pencil barrel. As the lead feed mechanism moves, latching means 75 on spring 73 slides down along the contoured inner surfaces 99 of clip 77 until the upper end of spring 73 passes the edge 101 of flat spring 83. The spring 73 is then held by detent surface 97. The digital pressure can be released from cap 61 and the lead feed mechanism 27 will be retained in the forward position by detent surface 97. In this position, writing point 39 projects through aperture 15 in writing position.

With the continuous lead feed mechanism in the projected position, the lead stick 37 can be advanced by depressing the cap 61 which forces the lead clutching mechanism 33 downward against the inner wall of tapered portion 13 of barrel 11. Continued depression of cap 61 compresses coil spring 41 releasing the lead clutching jaws, not shown, within clutching mechanism 33. The lead stick is advanced a short distance before the end of the downward stroke is reached. The cap 61 is then released, relatching spring end 73 in detent 97 and reclosing the lead gripping clutch jaws.

To retract the writing point 39 back into the pencil, the upper portion of clip 77 is pivotally depressed into the barrel causing the contoured inner surfaces 99 to move the latching means 75 inwardly to release spring end 73 from detent 97. As soon as the spring end 73 is released, the continuous lead feeding mechanism 27 is driven rearwardly in the pencil by the coil spring 43. In view of the outward biasing of spring 73 relative to the continuous lead feed mechanism 27, the latching means 75 rides along the contoured surfaces 99 until it is stopped by detent surfaces 93. The forward offset of the lateral projections that form the latching member 75 facilitate the release of the upper end of the spring 73 from the detent 97.

In the embodiment of the automatic pencil previously discussed, pivotal movement of the pocket clip was used to initiate the retraction of the continuous lead feed mechanism. In the embodiment of the automatic pencil shown in FIGURE 7, the clip is provided with a laterally depressible actuating button for initiating retraction of the lead feed mechanism.

The automatic pencil shown in FIGURE 7 has a twopiece housing 103 made up of a barrel 105 and an attached upper member 107. Barrel 105 and member 107 are shown coupled together by means of threaded portion 109. Barrel 105 and upper member 107 may be made of the same or dissimilar materials and may be joined by other means than threads, for example, the parts might be press fitted together.

A continuous lead feed mechanism 111 of conventional ty'pe is mounted within the housing '103. About the lead magazine 113 is coil spring 115 which biases the lead feed mechanism 111 toward the rear of the pencil by acting against annular ring 117. Annular ring 117 is an integral part of a split spring band 119 which surrounds the magazine 113 of lead feeding mechanism 111. Band I119 is brazed securely closed about lead feeding mechanism 111 and is secured thereto by means of tabs 121 and 123 through apertures 125 and 127 in the wall of the magazine.

Integrally formed with band 119 and biased away from continuous lead feed mechanism 111 is a hat leaf spring 129 provided on its upper end 153 with a pair of lateral projections that form a latching means 131 offset rearwardly from the spring 129 and extending laterally beyond both sides of a clip housing 137.

Mounted on the side of housing 103 and projecting into aperture 133 in upper member 107 is a clip 135, comprising an outer decorative and supporting housing 137, a gripping foot portion 139, and a spring member 141 that has one end fastened within clip housing 137 and its other end formed into a ring section 144 attached to housing 103 at the joint between barrel 105 and upper member 107. Spring member 141 is bent at 143 and this bend serves as the point about which clip I135 is pivotally movable.

An operating button 145 is formed on one end of a leaf spring 147 which is mounted within clip housing 137. Button 145 projects through an aperture 149 in the upper end of clip housing 137.

To operate the embodiment of the automatic pencil shown in FIGURE 7, axial pressure is applied to cap 151. As the lead feed mechanism moves forward, the upper end of spring 129 is moved downwardly away from a detent surface 161 formed by the upper end of clip housing 137, with the latching means 131 sliding along the contoured edges of the projecting side portions -155 of clip housing 137. Latching means 131 is biased outwardly relative to the continuous lead feed mechanism by spring 120 and eventually snaps under detent means 153 formed on the edges of the side portions 155. The lead feed mechanism 111 will remain in a projected position so long as latching means 131 is held by detent means l153, and is actuated by further depressions of the cap- 151 to advance the lead.

To retract the lead feed mechanism 111, button i145 is depressed causing latching means 131 to be released from detent means 153. As soon as latching means 131 is released, the lead feed mechanism 111 is moved rearwardly by coil spring 115i. Latching means 131 will slide back along the contoured edges of the side portions 155 until the upper end of spring 129 is stopped by detent surface 161 which restricts the upward movement of the lead feed mechanism 111.

In FIGURE 8, another embodiment of the automatic pencil of the present invention is shown which employs a pivotal clip to initiate retraction of the lead feed mechanism. The pencil has an outer housing 163 made up of a barrel 165 and an upper member 167. A continuous lead feed mechanism 169 of conventional type is shown mounted within the housing 163.

The continuous lead feed mechanism 169 comprises a lead storage magazine 171 and a receiver portion 173. An apertured disk 175 is mounted between the receiver and magazine. Disk 175 is shaped to provide sloping sides leading toward an aperture 177 to facilitate the loading of lead sticks into the magazine. A reversible eraser holder 179 comprising a decorative cap portion 181 and an eraser 183 is removably mounted within the receiver.

A split spring band 185 having an integral leaf spring member 187 is fixed to lead storage magazine 171. A

6 llatching means 189 is formed on the free end of spring A biasing spring 191 is positioned to operate between a ledge portion 193 provided by a flange 195 on barrel member 167 and a ring 197 fixed on continuous lead feed mechanism 169. Spring 191 provides the force to retract the lead feed mechanism and writing point.

A pivotally mounted clip 199 is mounted along the side of pencil housing 163. The upper portion of clip 199 is adapted to be pivoted inwardly through an aperture 201 in the upper member 167. Clip 199 comprises an outer housing 203, a gripping foot portion 205 and a leaf spring 207 that has one end fastened Within housing 203 by means of tabs 209 and its other end formed into a ring section attached to the housing 163 at the junction of the barrel and upper member 167. Clip 199 includes a bend 211, about which it is pivotally movable.

A leaf spring 213 is mounted within pencil housing 163 with a portion thereof held by a press fit between the inner wall of barrel 165 and the outer wall of the upper member. End 215 of spring 213 is bent to lock below the bottom of upper member 167 to prevent spring 213 from sliding upwardly in barrel 165. A short distance above bend 211 in a flat spring 207, spring 213 is bent outwardly and upwardly aligning the free portion of spring 213 with the exterior of upper member 167. The free end of spring 213 is bent inwardly a short distance to provide a detent surface 217.

As shown in FIGURE 8, the lead feed mechanism 169 is in its projected position. In this position, latching means 189 on spring 187 is held by detent surface 217 and further depressions of the cap 181 -will activate the lead feed mechanism. When it is desired to retract the lead feed mechanism, the upper part of clip 199 is pivotally depressed into upper member 167. The projecting sides of clip housing 203 push latching means 189 out from under detent surface 217, and the rearward bias from spring 191 moves the continuous lead feed mechanism 169 rearwardly until the outwardly biased spring 187 causes latching means 189 to engage a second detent surface 219 provided at the top of clip 199. The continuous lead feed mechanism will remain in this retracted position until moved downwardly by digital pressure on cap 181.

The pencils illustrated in FIGURES 1-6 and 8 employ a pivotally mounted clip to retract the continuous lead feed mechanism. Should one of these pencils be in point projected position when it is clipped into a pocket, the lifting of the gripping foot on the clip will depress the upper portion of the clip to release the latching means holding the continuous lead feed mechanism in the projected position. When t-he latching means is released, the point of the pencil will be pulled rearwardly within the barrel of the pencil preventing undesired marking.

While there has been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An automatic pencil of the `continuous feed type comprising a housing, continuous lead feed means axially reciprocable in said housing from a first position where 4said continuous lead feed means is entirely covered by said housing to a second position where the writing tip portion of said continuous lead feed means projects beyond said housing and being adapted for feeding lead sticks to the writing point; axially reciprocable operating means extending from said housing for moving said continuous lead feed means from said first position into said second position in response to an initial axially reciprocating movement of said operating means and for operating said continuous lead feed means to cause the feeding of lead sticks in response to subsequent reciprocating axial movement of said operating means when said -continuous lead feed means is in said second position; means for holding said continuous lead feed means in said second position; means on said housing for releasing said continuous lead feed means from said second position holding means.

2. The automatic pencil set forth in claim 1 wherein said release means comprises a pivotally mounted clip on said housing.

3. The automatic pencil set forth in claim 1 wherein said release means comprises a laterally depressible button.

4. An automatic pencil of the continuous feed type having point propelling and retracting means comprising a tubular housing having an aperture in the side thereof;

clip means pivotally mounted on the side of said housing so that a portion thereof is adjacent said aperture in said housing and is movable therein;

rst and second detent means on said clip means;

a continuous lead feed means reciprocably mounted within said housing;

leaf spring means on said continuous lead feed means,

said leaf spring means having one end thereof attached to said lead feed means and the free end thereof extending longitudinally along and away from said lead feed means;

latching means on the free end of said spring means,

said latching means being positioned adjacent said aperture in said housing and cooperating with Said rst and second detent means on said clip means to fix the projected and retracted states of said auto'- matic pencil; and

reciprocably movable operating means extending from said housing for moving said continuous lead feed means from a retracted state into a projected state in response to an initial axially reciprocating movement of said operating means and for operating said continuous lead feed means to cause the feeding of lead sticks in response to subsequent reciprocating axial movements of said operating means when said lead feed means is in its protracted state.

5. An automatic pencil according to claim 4 further comprising release means on said clip means for releasing said latching means from one end of said detent means thereby allowing said latching means along with said lead feed means to move to said second detent means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,566,871 12/1925 Hudson 401-104 X 1,583,718 5/1926 Hudson 401-104 X 2,158,991 5/1939 Stenersen 401-65 3,033,167 5/1962 Spillman 401-104 3,179,086 4/1965 Owadano 401-104 X LAWRENCE CHARLES, Prima/y Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

